Dial structure



E. F. ROSFELDER Jan. 29, 1952 DIAL STRUCTURE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Aug. 9, 1945 54 INVENTOR. iz/yezzzi wj BY Wva; 5%?0 E. F. ROSFELDER DIAL STRUCTURE Jan. 29, 1952 Filed Aug. 9,

Patented Jan; 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to dial structures, and concerns particularly dials for use with operated devices which upon actuation are arranged to indicate or display a selected part or portion of a composite body of indicia, such for example as clocks or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dial structure or mechanism of the type defined, of improved construction and improved operating characteristics.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide a dial structure having relatively movable parts, wherein the indicia carried by the relatively movable dial portions or members cooperate with each other in a novel and improved manner, presenting a pleasing appearance, and effecting an accurate and definite designation of the selected indicia, whereby to minimize the possibility of error, and render the dial structure more readily visible and readable.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dial structure, particularly adapted for use with clocks, watches, and the like.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments are set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a clock mechanism employing a dial structure constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side and vertical sectional view of the clock and dial structure of Fig. 1, the section being taken as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the dial members forming a part of the structure of Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of additional dial members forming a part of the structure of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a clock and dial structure of modified form;

Fig. 7 is a side and sectional view of the structure of Fig. 6, the section being taken as indicated by the line thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view, also similar to Figs. '1 and 6, but illustrating a further modified embodiment; and

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are detail views of the various dial members forming a part of the structure of s,

In the drawings, the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration as applied to a dial structure for timepieces, such for example as clocks or watches, as the invention in certain of its aspects is particularly adapted for such use. It is to be understood, however, that the invention, in various of its features and aspects, may be adapted for use with various types of operated devices having relatively shiftable parts for indicating a selected part or portion of a composite body of indicia such, for example, as gauges, scales, meters, et cetera.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and first to the structural embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5, in Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a clock structure, of approved type, and incorporating the dial structure of the invention. More specifically, the structure illustrated comprises a casing I0 having a base I! for suitably supporting the clock structure upon a support surface. The casing l0 houses a clock mechanism (not shown) of approved type, for driving a minute shaft or arbor I4 and an hour sleeve IS in the desired time relationship. While the details of the clock driving mechanisms form no part of the present invention, preferably a mechanism is selected, of known type, for driving the minute arbor continuously and for driving the hour sleeve intermittently, the sleeve being advanced an increment of movement, intermittently, at the elapse of each hour interval.

The dial structure, forming a part of the present invention, comprises a first or stationary dial member l8, which may for example be fixedly supported within a bezel rim 2!! hinged to the clock casin as indicated at 22. The fixed dial member [8 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. It will be seen that it is provided, in the particular embodiment disclosed, with a series of hour numerals or indicia 24, and a series of minute indications 26 and indicia 28, the hour numerals being sequentially arranged circumferentially of the upper half of the dial, and the minute designations and indicia being disposed circumferentially of the lower half of the dial. In the selected embodiment the numerals 24 comprising the hour indicia are transparent, whereas the background blocks for the hour indicia, as indicated at 30, may be opaque, or preferably translucent, for a purpose as will presently appear. The background 32 for the minute designations and indicia is preferably opaque, the minute indicia being suitably printed or painted thereon. Preferably the painted portions of the fixed dial member are formed by painting the inside ,sur-.

face thereof, as indicated at 34 in Fig. 2, whereby to protect the marked surfaces when the bezel 20 is closed, so as to protect and prevent the marring of the indicia provided.

Disposed radially inwardly of the hour and minute designations is a circumferential band or track on the fixed dial member consistin of a semi-circular transparent portion 36 and a semicircular opaque portion 33. The central portion 40 of the fixed dial member is also preferably opaque, and may be provided as an integral part of the portion 38, if desired.

A shiftable disc-like member or indicator 42 is fixed to the hour sleeve 56 for movement therewith and constitutes an hour indicating member is shown detached in Fig. 4, and is of a sectional shape best shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the hour indicating member comprises a series of spider arms 44 fixed to the hour sleeve and axially projected at their outer ends, as indicated at 45, said arms being arranged to support an annular dial flange portion 28 disposed rearwardly of the hour designations 24 and the hour blocks 30 or" the fixed dial member. Due to the axial projected portions 48 of the spider arms, it will be seen that the flange #53 may be brought into close proximity to the fixed dial member, suiiicient only to permit clearance for movement, whereby to minimize parallax. The flange portion 48 of the shiftable hour indicating member, in the particular embodiment disclosed, is pro" vided with a pair of indicia or indicatng blocks 50 and 52 of contrastin color or designation in respect to the remaining dial portions or blocks as indicated, respectively, at 5% and 53.

A shiftable disc-like member or indicator 58, independently illustrated in Fig. 5, is fixed to the minute arbor it for movement therewith and constitutes a minute indicating member preferably having a pair of minute indicators 60 and 52 adapted, when the parts are in assembled and operative relationship, to lie behind the track portions 38 and 38 of the fixed dial member, and in close proximity to avoid parallax, as best shown in Fig. 2. The minute indicators 60 and 62 of the minute indicating member are separated by circumferential portions 54 and 56 of contrasting color or character. The central support portion 61 of the minute indicating member may be of spider or disc form, as desired, this portion lying behind the central opaque portion 40 of the fixed dial member.

Preferably the shiftable hour and minute indicating members 42 and 58 may be of stamped sheet metal or of opaque or translucent plastic, whereas the fixed dial member 18 is preferably of glass, transparent plastic, or other transparent material so as to be transparent except for those portions which are painted or otherwise treated to produce a translucent or opaque surface. A lamp or lamps, as indicated at 68, may be disposed within the clock casing, to provide illumination for the dials.

In operation, as previously indicated, preferably the minute indicating member 58 is continuously driven at constant speed, whereas the hour indicating member 42 is intermittently actuated at hourly intervals. It will be seen that movement of the minute indicating member will cause the indicators Bi] and 62 thereof to align with the minute indicia 25 and 28 of the fixed dial member, and be visible through the transparent xed dial track 35, whereby to provide the minute indications. When one of the movable indicators, for example the indicator 62, is visible through the transparent track 36, the other indicator 60 is disposed behind the opaque fixed dial portion 38. As the indicator 60 comes into view, the indicator 62 goes out of view, and vice versa, the minute dial making a complete revolution every two hours.

The hour designatio'n arrangement provides a pleasing appearance, and also provides an accurate designation of the hour, minimizing possibility of error and promoting readability of the dial, the particular hour to be indicated being sharply differentiated from and accentuated in respect to the remaining hour indicia on the fixed dial. More particularly, the hour to be designated, the hour [2 as illustrated in Fig. 1, will be clearly differentiated from the remaining hour indicia by reason of the fact that the designation marker 50 (or 52, as the case may be) oi the hour indicating member, will be disposed behind the numeral l2, so as to be visible through the transparent numeral body. If the block portions 30 of the fixed dial are made translucent, as also indicated in Fig. l, the entire indicator block of the movable indicating member will be partially visible through the aligned dial block, thus further accentuating the designated numeral. Preferably the hour indicators 50 and 52 are of a color or character sharply contrasted with the color or character of the fixed dial blocks 30, Whereas the intermediate portions 54 and 56 may preferably be made of a color or character substantially similar to that of the fixed dial blocks 30, or only slightly contrasted therewith, so as to render the non-designated hour indicia of the fixed dial substantially invisible or only slightly visible so as to indicate their associated positions in respect to the designated hour numeral. Various different visual effects may be obtained by varying the contrast of the hour indicators 50 and 52, in respect to the portions 54 and 58, and by varying the contrast between the intermediate portions 54 and 5'6 as compared with the color and characteristic of the fixed dial blocks 30. The visual effects may be further varied by increasing or decreasing the transparency of the fixed dial blocks. If the dial blocks are made fully opaque, then the movable hour indicator will be visible only through the transparent numeral bodies. The lamp 68 provides dial illumination, when desired, and if the indicating members 42 and 58 are made of translucent plastic, the light rays will shine through the movable indicators further varying the visual effects produced. By making the dial indicators 50, 52, 60 and 62 of phosphorescent material, suitable night illumination may be provided. The hour indicia being provided on the upper dial portion, and the minute indicia being provided on the lower dial portion, sharply differentiates the two types of indicia, preventing confusion in reading.

As will be understood, in the embodiment shown, the hour dial makes one complete revolution each twenty-four hours.

In Figs. 6 and '7 an embodiment is illustrated, generally similar to that previously described, but employing a different form of fixed dial member and associated casing arrangement. In this instance the hour indicating member, as indicated at 42a, and the minute indicating member, as indicated at 58a, may be the same as the indicating members 42 and 58 previously described. The fixed dial member l8a, however, is in this instance provided with its hour indicia 24a, begining at I and ending at 6, across the upper dial.

portion. The minute indicia, as indicated at 26a and 28a, is also arranged across the upper portion of the dial, the minute indicia being printed directly upon the transparent dial track 35a through which the minute indicators 60a and 52:: are visible.

The fixed dial member, being half circular in shape, is carried by a correspondingly shaped bezel member a, hinged to the clock casing at 22a, as shown. dicating members 42a and 58a project below and are concealed by the clock casing front face portion III.

The arrangement of the hour indicia on the fixed dial member in the manner shown presents a satisfactory arrangement for differentiating the daytime and nighttime hours. Thus the day may be considered as starting at 7:00 a. m. and closing at 6500 p. m. and the night as starting at 7:00 p. m. and ending at 6:00 a. m. The hour indicator block 50a which traverses the hour indicia during the day may be colored with a light color, indicating daytime, whereas the indicator block 52a which traverses the hour indicia at night may be colored darker, or with phosphorescent material, indicating nighttime. A novel and pleasing effect is thus produced. The position of the hour indicator blocks, as they progress, corresponds with the proportion of the day or night, as the case may be, which has expired.

II the intermediate portions such as 54 and 55 of the movable hour indicating member are provided with graduated color or characteristic intensity along their lengths, the expired day portion will be further indicated in a novel and pleasing manner.

In Figs. 8-11 a still further embodiment is illustrated employing a dial structure embodying similar principles but having a specifically diflerent arrangement. In this instance the fixed dial member, as indicated at lBb, has its hour indicia 24b and associated indicia blocks b provided in a complete circular circumferential arrangement for cooperation with a single block b provided on the movable hour indicating member 42b. The fixed dial member is further provided with minute indicia 26b and 28b in circumferential arrangement, and with a complete circular transparent track 36b cooperating with a single indicia block 6012 of the movable minute indicating member 58b. It is believed that the structural arrangements and operation of the mechanism set forth in Figs. 8-11 will be clear from what has heretofore been said in reference to the structures previously described.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, if desired, the minute indicating member may be driven in intermittent steps of movement, or the hour indicating member continuously driven, or the relationship of the stationary and movable parts reversed. The movable indicating members could be in the form of hands, if desired. The block demarcations on the fixed dial can be omitted, if desired, or in instances wherein the fixed dial track is trans lucent the block demarcations could be placed on the shiftable hour indicating member. Also, as previously indicated, the principles of the invention may be adapted to specifically different indicia and dial arrangements and types of devices, such as gauges, scales, and other indicator mechanisms. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the precise embodiments The lower portions of the in- 1 shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

i. clock dial structure comprising a fixed dial member having a plurality of blocks arranged over a portion thereof in substantially arcuate form and each block having at least a transparent hour indicium thereon, said fixed member including an annular section with minute indicia thereon concentric with the hour in said blocks and said annular section being transparent throughout the extent of said minute indicia thereon, a disc mounted for rotation immediately behind said fixed dial member and having isolated hour indicators spaced thereon in accordance with the extent of the blocks on dial member and juxtaposed with respect thereto whereby only one of said indicators at a time selectively cooperates with an hour indicia, each said hour indicator being of sharply contrasting color with respect to the remainder of the disc and the said blocks whereby to set oif each hour indicium as it is selectively positioned behind said indicia being indicated, and a disc mounted for rotation immediately behind said fixed dial member and in line with the annular section thereof, said disc having isolated minute indicators spaced thereon in accordance with the extent of the transparent portion of said annular section and juxtaposed with respect thereto whereby one of said minute indicators at a time is visible through the transparent portion of said annular section to selectively cooperate with the minute indicia therealong.

2. *A clock dial structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocks are translucent with the hour indicia of each block being transparent, and wherein each hour indicator is shaped symmetrically with respect to each block for setting of! in multiple contrast the particular block and hour indicia with which it selectively cooperates.

3. A clock dial structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocks are arranged in semi-circular formation and wherein the transparent portion of said annular section is semi-circular and concentric with the said block formation, the remainder of said annular section being opaque.

4. A clock dial structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the semi-circular transparent portion of said annular section is nested within the semicircular block formation.

EUGENE F. ROSFELDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,135,228 Viner Apr. 13, 1915 1,851,824 Fewell Mar. 29, 1932 2,060,427 Robinson Nov. 10, 1936 2,202,581 Hammer May 28, 1940 2,248,195 Prins July 8, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 46,232 Austria Feb. 10, 1911 55,401 Switzerland Apr. 12, 1911 165,963 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1934 409,148 Great Britain Apr. 26, 1934 734,652 France Oct. 25, 1932 

